GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The ninth inning will belong to ascendant closer J.J. Hoover, but Hoover’s realm could be wider than that. He may stake a claim to a couple outs in the eighth, too.

The Cincinnati Reds are considering counting on Hoover to pitch more than just an inning an outing as the team looks to ease the pressure off a young rotation and an unproven bullpen.

“What we haven’t solved yet is who will get us to J.J,” manager Bryan Price said. “And that creates an environment that there is a higher probability that we could see him come in and get the last out of the eighth inning or last couple of outs and go out there for the ninth inning, based on how fresh he is.”

Hoover is no stranger to longer outings. Of his 218 career appearances, 38 lasted longer than an inning. Only four of those came last season, though.

Hoover pitched two innings Monday night against the San Diego Padres and has yet to give up a run in Cactus League play. If he handles more than just one frame during the season, it’ll be a stark contrast to how the team handled his predecessor, Aroldis Chapman. Only 29 of Chapman’s more than 300 appearances lasted longer than three outs, partly because the team had competent set-up men in Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall.

“I had as much confidence in Broxton and Marshall as I had in Chapman’s ability to get the last three outs,” Price said. “It was a way to not have to overtax your closer because you had guys really good at getting you to the closer.”